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Chapter 686
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Rising from the Ashes Chapter 687
Aspen's heart pounded in her chest as she led Bruce and Jackie, two of the family's top enforcers, toward the location on the GPS. Her pulse was racing, her anxiety reaching its peak with every step. When they finally arrived at the indicated spot, Aspen's eyes scanned the area. However, there was nothing—no sign of Gordon. "Damn it!" she cursed, her frustration boiling over. "Did the GPS malfunction?" Her mind raced with anxious thoughts as she silently prayed, 'Please, Mr. Woods… please be fine.' If Gordon was gone, her position in Jayrodale would collapse. All the advantages she had painstakingly built would vanish overnight. However, that was not the worst of it. If Gordon—their so-called "secret weapon"—was really dead, the Bridgefields' Stevens family would be dealt a disastrous blow. Without him, the family's strength would be cut in half, leaving the Stevens family wide open to its enemies. "Miss, there's no sign of Mr. Woods anywhere," Bruce reported. Aspen's
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 688
Aspen did not say a word. Her lips trembled as she crouched down, reaching toward the skeleton. Her fingers found the metal ring resting on the bony remains of a hand. She pulled it free, her breath catching in her throat. It was a signet ring—made of reinforced alloy, untouched by the decay around it. Etched into the surface was a single word: Woods. Aspen's mind went blank for a moment before a wave of dread crashed over her. She mumbled, "Mr. Woods… is dead." Her heart pounded erratically as the truth she had tried so hard to deny solidified into cold, undeniable reality. That ring was Gordon's—a personal item he never went anywhere without. Yet, here it was, buried with this broken, rotting corpse. The implications were crystal clear. Jackie stumbled back, his face deathly pale. "W-Who the hell did this? Who the hell in Jayrodale is capable of taking him down?" Bruce sucked in a sharp breath. "Miss, t-this has to be Mr. Woods. There's no mistake. We need to inform the f
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 689
Jackie wore a deep frown, worry etched across his face. "But Miss, we're completely stuck here in Jayrodale. We have no working capital, no reliable connections, and now Mr. Woods—our strongest card—is gone. We can't pull off anything without resources." Aspen shot her a glare, voice cold and sharp. "Shut up. It's not as hopeless as it looks. Don't forget that I still have the pharmaceutical formulas from Rhodes Corporation's Pharmaceutical Division. Those formulas are pure gold." She added, "Stevens Corporation has already partnered with a manufacturing firm to start production. Once that kicks off, we'll have cash flowing in soon enough." Bruce gave a cautious nod. "That's a start, but we still need protection. Without someone strong guarding our operations, we'll be exposed." Aspen's lips twisted into a venomous sneer. Her grip on the ring tightened, her knuckles turning white. "Andrew… this is all your fault." She turned to Bruce. "Find Finley Moore for me. Tell him I wan
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 690
Andrew smiled warmly. "Fran, you've really thought this through. What does Mr. Aicker think about it?" Francesca nodded. "Grandpa agreed, but he asked me to check with you first. The Moonlit Apothecary is yours, after all. He doesn't want to come here uninvited and cause trouble." He continued, "He's also worried people might start gossiping that the Aickers are trying to take over your medical center." Andrew's expression turned serious. "If Mr. Aicker feels that way, he's being way too polite. Tell him the doors of the Moonlit Apothecary will always be open to him. Anytime he wants to come by, he's more than welcome. He won't just be a guest—he'll be part of this place." Francesca's eyes lit up with gratitude. "Thank you, Andrew! Honestly, Grandpa's always wanted to run a medical center like this—something prestigious and respected. But our family's been struggling for years. Grandpa's been saving every penny for Simon and us younger ones. He couldn't bear to spend the money
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 691
Lauren said with a playful smile, "Of course not! If anyone's doing the bullying, it'll be me bullying Dr. Lloyd!" Francesca rolled her eyes and said, "Lame. Then why did you drag me over here? Just to flaunt your sweet, lovey-dovey moments and make me jealous?" Lauren gave her a mock glare. "Francesca, we've known each other for years. When have I ever done something disloyal to you?" Francesca thought for a moment and realized she was right. With a laugh, she said, "Okay, fine. What is it then? You've got that mischievous smile, so spill it already!" Lauren stared at her intently, so long that Francesca started to feel uncomfortable. Finally, Lauren asked, "Fran, tell me the truth… do you like Andrew?" Francesca gasped, eyes wide as she quickly lowered her head. "I-I don't know what you're talking about. Of course not! I mean… obviously not!" Lauren huffed in exasperation. "Fran, do you really think you can fool me? I know you like the back of my hand, so stop with the aw
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 692
Lauren sighed and said, "At the end of the day, it all comes down to my family's alliance with the Driscoll family in Blumedale. Anyway, Fran, I can't sleep with Dr. Lloyd right now. But you don't have that restriction, so you can go ahead and give him what he needs." Francesca bit her lip, looking embarrassed. "Forget it. How could I take Andrew before you do? I'd rather wait for you… maybe we can figure it out together." Lauren's face turned bright red as she squirmed in her seat. "What? If we do it together, wouldn't that mean all three of us in bed? Like… a threesome?" Francesca's cheeks flushed even deeper. "I-I don't know either." She took a shaky breath and added, "But Lauren, since you've been so good to me, I should be honest, too. I need to tell you something… or else I'll feel guilty." Lauren covered her mouth, stifling a laugh. "Don't tell me… you've already slept with Dr. Lloyd?" Francesca's face turned ghostly pale. Her eyes filled with guilt as she whispered,
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 693
Before long, Lauren and the proud, pouty Francesca stepped out from around the corner. Both of their faces were flushed pink, and Andrew could not help but wonder what they had been whispering about. Francesca cast a shy, lingering glance at Andrew, her eyes shimmering with a soft, embarrassed sparkle. "Well, Nyla, you be sure to rest up, okay? I'll visit you again soon." Then, she turned to Andrew, gave a small wave, and said, "Andrew, I'm heading back to the hospital. Bye!" With that, she swished her ponytail and walked off, leaving Andrew to watch her retreating figure. He shifted his gaze toward Lauren and asked, "What were you two gossiping about back there?" Lauren giggled. "Oh? Do you really want to know? Lean in." Andrew bent down slightly, and Lauren cupped her hand beside his ear, whispering, "I was telling Fran to go ahead and give herself to you… so you can enjoy yourself." Andrew's expression froze as black lines practically formed across his forehead. "Excuse
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 694
"She told me everything," Lauren said with a sly smile. "She was really happy about what you supposedly did to her. But if she finds out it never actually happened, she'll definitely feel disappointed." Andrew's eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Hold on a second. The way you're talking… it almost sounds like you're trying to sell me off to your best friend. You wouldn't actually do that… would you?" Lauren burst into laughter. "Wouldn't? I already did! Fran's all yours whenever you want. I won't mind." "But," she added with a teasing grin, "you better make sure you treat us both equally. No playing favorites!" Andrew slammed on the brakes in front of Glorious Pharmaceuticals and turned to Lauren. "Glad you're both having fun… but has anyone thought about what this will do to my health?" Lauren doubled over, laughing so hard she nearly choked. Andrew sat there for a moment, sighing with a mixture of amusement and dread. He wondered if he was really supposed to take responsibility f
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Rising from the Ashes Chapter 1170
On the ground, Black Wolf writhed in pain, howling in disbelief. He finally understood why that last squad of heavily armed mercenaries had vanished without a trace after storming Serenity Villa. This place was not just a house—it was a damn death trap. "Who sent you to kill me?" Andrew asked calmly as he twirled the dagger Black Wolf had dropped. Pinned down by Natasha and Dylan, Black Wolf was drenched in sweat, his shattered legs leaving him gasping in agony. He growled, "Why the hell should I tell you? You should know exactly who you've pissed off. Even if I'm in your hands, kid, if you lay a finger on me, the consequences—" Andrew did not let him finish. Instead, he drove the blade straight into Black Wolf's chest. Whatever threat Black Wolf was about to spit out died on his tongue. His eyes bulged in shock before his head slumped to the side—dead. "If you didn't have the sense to act like a prisoner, then I did you a favor and sent you straight to hell. Next time, try
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 1169
Aspen could not help leaning closer to see what Andrew was doing. To her surprise, his breathing was steady—he was already asleep. She stared at him, both amused and annoyed as she thought, 'I'm lying right next to him, and he still manages to fall asleep? Am I not attractive enough? Or does this guy just not find me worth the effort?' That split second of realization triggered an unexpected wave of disappointment and frustration in her. … Meanwhile, outside Serenity Villa, a black figure moved silently across the ruined outer wall, climbing with inhuman ease. It was Black Wolf—Elon's secret weapon, a top-tier assassin with a reputation to match. A matte-finished blade dangled from his lips as he surveyed the building, swiftly memorizing the layout of the damaged villa. He was not alone. At least a dozen other men hid in the dark, surrounding the perimeter and lying in wait. Nonetheless, they were not predators, at least not to him. He scoffed, thinking, 'They're the bait,
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 1168
Through the second half of the night, Serenity Villa remained eerily quiet. Chantelle stepped out from her lookout post and announced, "Looks like no one else is coming tonight. Everyone should get some rest." Andrew stopped her. "Hold up. You all stay on watch—I'll go rest." Chantelle narrowed her eyes. "Are you giving me orders like I'm your subordinate?" Andrew responded calmly, "Not at all. I just want to isolate myself and draw the next assassin in alone." Chantelle frowned. "So, you're planning to be alone in a room and give the assassin a shot at you? You're using yourself as bait?" Andrew replied, "Exactly. One mercenary commander from the Srovika Federation is dead, but with the Haywoods and Goldings both after my head, there's no way they'd just send one decent hitter and be done." Chantelle nodded. "That… makes sense. But you're injured. What happens if something unexpected comes up? Can you really handle it?" Before Andrew could answer, Aspen blurted, "It's
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 1167
Andarov could not care less about anything else and turned to flee, trying to blast through the villa wall and make his escape. However, Andrew's attacks were relentless, like crashing waves, giving him no chance to run. With perfect aim, Andrew struck the center of Andarov's back with a palm strike that exploded like a thunderclap. Bones shattered with a sickening crunch, and nearly two-thirds of Andarov's skeleton was crushed in an instant. Then, blood gushed out from his mouth as he collapsed, his massive eight-foot frame crashing to the floor. Raising his trembling, blood-soaked hand, he pointed at Andrew, gasping, "You're not… not just some ordinary man. You're from… Holtrien's Chetvine… You're part of the royal fa—" He never got to finish the sentence. Before the final word left his lips, Andarov exhaled his last breath and died on the spot. A single drop of blood fell from Andrew's waist, and part of his shirt had already soaked through with red. Natasha rushed over
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 1166
Aspen's scream pierced the night. For a moment, she was certain bullets would tear through her. However, Andrew's arms locked around her, shielding her completely as he kicked the shredded sofa aside. Then, a gold needle flashed from Andrew's fingers. The burly and tall Andarov Markovic snarled as his right wrist erupted in pain, and his Desert Eagle clattered to the floor. Shocked and angry, Andarov quickly raised his other gun, ready to continue firing. Just then, Andrew blurred across the room and crushed an uppercut into his jaw. "You're alive! Good. I'll peel your spine out myself and avenge my subordinates!" Andarov yelled. He dumped his remaining gun, elbows smashing Andrew's strikes. Just like that, the two started fighting in the lobby on the first floor. Srovikan fighters were already brutes, but Andarov was a wrecking ball. Every collision splintered walls, and every missed punch cratered the floor. Before long, the villa, already in ruins, was destroyed further.
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 1165
Aspen's face burned crimson as she instinctively crossed her arms over her chest. Damn it—her habit of going braless after showers had become second nature, and Andrew had seen her in this state. Humiliated, she spat, "Fine! Since my kindness is wasted on you, I'm going to bed!" She turned to stomp upstairs in a huff. However, Andrew suddenly sprang from his chair and tackled her to the ground. His arm locked around her slender waist as they rolled across the floor. Aspen's shock quickly turned to fury, wondering what the hell this bastard was doing. Was he actually trying to take advantage of her in the dark? She silently cursed herself for being dumb and wandered around practically naked in front of this pervert. She was basically giving him a chance to pounce at her. Just as she began struggling in earnest, Andrew's growl cut through the night. "Stop moving unless you want to die!" The next moment, a hail of gunfire erupted, muzzle flashes lighting up the darkness as b
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 1164
As evening fell, Aspen and Dylan returned to Serenity Villa. The front gate stood wide open, and Andrew sat squarely in a chair in the middle of the first-floor lobby. Aspen frowned as she stepped inside. "Why are you sitting here?" Andrew replied, "Waiting for guests." "Who?" "Assassins from the Haywoods and the Goldings." Her face darkened when she heard his words. She could not help but think Andrew had lost his damn mind for leaving the front door wide open for killers. He glanced at her and asked, "Weren't you meeting a client? How'd it go?" Aspen's voice turned icy. "Turns out, Christina was the one looking for investors." Andrew raised a brow. "So? You turned her down?" She sneered as she said, "More than that. I made sure all three of them left humiliated. That old hag Irene even got a slap from me." Andrew simply shrugged. Aspen had never been the merciful type, and none of this surprised him. He simply ordered, "Go make something to eat. I'm hungry." Asp
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 1163
Dylan explained, "But you're a proud woman. You never used to bow to anyone, especially not to Mr. Lloyd. Now, you're just clinging to that same pride and defiance. "But the truth is, that pride of yours? It's already been worn down by Mr. Lloyd, completely. As for what's left… well, you know it better than anyone. You just don't want to admit it."Aspen grew frustrated. "I don't need you psychoanalyzing me. I just need someone to tell me—what do I have to do to break out of this mess? This constant confusion and misery?"Dylan shrugged. "Isn't it obvious? You're just as stunning as Ms. Aicker or Ms. Rhodes. Those two didn't mind letting Mr. Lloyd take what he wanted. So, why not follow their lead? Let's be real, Aspen—you've already fallen for Mr. Lloyd, and there's no shame in that. "Mr. Lloyd has that effect on women. I've been around him long enough to stop being surprised. You, Natasha, Francesca, Lauren… even that girl Nyla Goth from the Moonlit Apothecary in Jayrodale—if Mr
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 1162
After leaving the cafe, Aspen stepped into the restroom. She splashed a few handfuls of icy water on her face, trying to calm the storm inside her. She said, "Mr. Garner, could you do me a favor and not tell Andrew about what just happened?" Dylan leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, and chuckled. "Ms. Aspen, you really gave her a piece of your mind. If it felt good, why not let Mr. Lloyd know?" Aspen's expression darkened with self-mockery. "Because I didn't stand up for myself—I used Andrew's name to intimidate her. Christina was right about one thing—I am pathetic. "Andrew nearly destroyed my family, and yet here I am, throwing his name around like it means something. Even worse, I shamelessly implied I'd offer myself to him!" Dylan smirked. "So you're ashamed of yourself? You think less of yourself now?" Aspen stared at her reflection. Her face was as cold as ever, but her eyes no longer held their usual arrogance. Instead, they were clouded with something unrea
